Keyword Q&A[ Beginning Chess ]

You're new to Chess and want to learn how to play the game and get good.

Not everyone starts learning to play Chess with the same knowledge-base ...

Some know how to move their pieces and capture enemy pieces; others know what a Chess set looks like but, apart from that are, more-or-less, 'blank slates', with it all to learn.

If you want to jump ahead, you can get stuck in with our Beginners Chess Guide, with swift access to it from the navigation menu to the left of this page.

If you'd rather be given a bit of direction, as to what to learn first, then please read on (everything covered can be found in our Beginners Chess Guide, which you can also access, via the Recommended Link, towards the bottom of this page).

Beginning Chess: Beginners Chess Guide - Section I

From here, you'll be able to access the following six, "entry-level" articles:

Basic Chess Rules

Individual Chess Pieces

Chess Board Setup

Annotated Chess

Chess Board Zones

Ranks And Files

With the Basic Chess Rules, rather than trying to digest it all in one read, I found it easier to become familiar with these Rules and then, through exploring the remaining subjects - in the Beginners Chess Guide - and through playing out the moves, etc., the Rules started to make more sense and I learnt them quicker.

Next, I'd learn about the Individual Chess Pieces, as it'll make understanding the Chess Board Setup easier, as that deals with the Pieces and where they start each game ...

Chess makes use of a Chess Notation system, to make it easy for players to record their moves, captures and other events, which may occur during their games ...
Our Annotated Chess guide will help you learn how this recording system works, so you can follow past and present games, in newspapers, in Chess books, and on all good Chess websites.

Both Chess Board Zones and Ranks and Files articles will help you to visualize the Chess Board, which will help you later on, when you begin to learn about Tactics and Strategy.

Beginning Chess: Beginners Chess Guide - Section II

Basic Chess Moves

Development

Pawn Structure

The Exchange

Chess Game Types

Principle Of Space

Principle Of Time

Basic Chess Strategy

Sections II deals with basic concepts of Movement and the Development of your army ...

Start with learning about the Basic Chess Moves, which shows you how the Pawns and Pieces move and capture. Then progress onto the matter of Development and Pawn Structure.

Exchanges can be equally beneficial to both sides; they can be used to kickstart a game that's progressing too slowly for your liking; or, you can attempt to gain an advantage by "Winning the Exchange".

Following on from that, I then learnt about the two different Chess Game Types, which explains the situations when Knights are more valuable than Bishops, and vice-versa.

The Principle of Space and the Principle of Time are a bit more involved and may take a few goes to fully understand. I found if I watched the examples, then played a game or two of Chess, with those examples in mind, I learnt much quicker.

The Basic Chess Strategy is kind of like an early 'test' of what you'll have learnt so far ... I created this based on my (limited) knowledge, at the time. Back then, I was only really familiar with the Basic Chess Moves and Exchanges, so you should make a better attempt than I managed, as you'll see with the videos.

Explore the Strategy given, as you'll get more of a feel for "what works", at a basic level, and, just as important, "what doesn't work well".

Beginning Chess: Beginners Chess Guide - Section III

Advantage Detection

Error Management 1

Error Management 2

Attacking Play (Terms)

Defensive Play (Terms)

Section III is a collection of other tips and advice for improving your chances of success, while limiting mistakes that could cost you victory.

You'll also learn some common terms, related to Attacking and Defensive play respectively.